Central Land Council

Rose Report Two

Conclusion

Aboriginal people have a unique perspective on land management issues. There are many issues over which there is the potential for disagreement between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal land managers. It is widely true that Aboriginal people are the ones who are disadvantaged where different views clash. It is important that efforts be directed to bridging the gaps between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal viewpoints. Not only because of the potential to resolve disagreement but because there is a great deal to learn from acknowledging alternative perspectives. Aboriginal land management knowledge is increasingly seen as important for contemporary land managers.

However, there are many contemporary land management issues to which Aboriginal knowledge does not relate. Aboriginal land management organisations have recognised the need for technical and scientific information on how to deal with these issues. The difficulty arises in gaining access to such information in an appropriate form. While better and more appropriate information is needed to support Aboriginal land management decision making it must be remembered that Aboriginal people are the ultimate decision makers with respect to Aboriginal land. Aboriginal people have the right to maintain a set of beliefs and attitudes based on their particular culture and to exercise a range of land uses that are consistent with the practice and continuation of that culture. Aboriginal people make land management decisions on the basis of their everyday experiences. It is typical that personal and social agendas have a greater influence over the decision making process than technical or practical information.

It is not possible to remove these influences from the Aboriginal decision making process because they are part of being Aboriginal. In central Australia there have been few examples of information exchange programs on land management issues which were designed specifically for Aboriginal people. Any such program must be aware of the strength of the traditional Aboriginal perspective of land. If information exchange does not operate within this context Aboriginal people will find it difficult to respond. An effective information exchange process should acknowledge and where possible reinforce the traditional Aboriginal view of a management issue. Aboriginal people are confronted by a plethora of government departments, programs and services which play important roles in all areas of their lives.

There is clearly a high level of confusion and misunderstanding among Aboriginal people over the roles and responsibilities of organisations involved with the use and management of land. Aboriginal perceptions and aspirations of land management issues can best be incorporated into land management programs by increasing the capacity of Aboriginal organisations to carry out such programs. Information exchange about land management issues should also be based on this approach whereby resources and information from the broader land management community should be provided to Aboriginal controlled information exchange programs.

As a result of the High Courts' recognition of Native Title, Aboriginal people across Australia are in a stronger position to exert an influence over the use and management of their land. The capacity for Aboriginal people and their organisations to make informed decisions about land use and management, and to act on those decisions, must be increased. There is a great deal for all to learn if we are to use our environment sustainably into the future.